So your anniversary is coming up, but you’re stuck in isolation. Definitely not the most romantic place to be! Charlotte Ricard-Quesada, international events and wedding planner and founder of La Fête, recently celebrated her anniversary in isolation and has some tips for all the couples out there who are going through the same experience. So, here are the best ways to celebrate your anniversary in quarantine!
Words From Charlotte…
“Our two year wedding anniversary was on the 17th March 2020, just a few days prior to the total lockdown. So as conscious adults, we decided not to risk anything and stay home. It’s such a weird feeling of wanting to celebrate yet realising you can’t really do anything that special because you’re at home. What we did was cook a lovely meal, lit a couple of candles and enjoyed reminiscing over the past couple of years. Of course, we also looked at our wedding photos!” Charlotte tells us.
The Important Things…
“I will say that being in quarantine during this time is for sure testing our relationship (we’ve been together for 7 years). But I think we are also learning a lot about each other, spending so much time in each other’s pockets. We are growing to appreciate how much of a support we can be for each other not just in the big things, but also in the smaller things. Which right now, being honest, the smaller things are sooooo important!” Charlotte says.
The Goal…
In the grand scheme of things, who cares where you are or what you are doing on your anniversary, as long as you are together, happy and healthy – that’s the main thing. Check out some of our favourite anniversary ideas below!
Your Best China…
Do not have dinner in front of the TV. Make the effort to set the table with your best crockery and china.
You bought it for all those “special occasions” right? Well, use them! If you have dinner in front of the TV, then it’s just like any other night. If you make the effort and make the dinner table look nice, you’re setting yourself up for a nice evening together with the illusion of being at a nice restaurant. Get some fresh flowers delivered too. You’ll be making the table look nice and helping out a small business too!
Spice It Up…
You probably have most of the day to cook something really nice, so why shouldn’t you?
Get out of your comfort zone! You have the time, so why not have some fun? Look up a feasible recipe (of your spouse’s choice), buy all of the ingredients and get to work. Do the whole thing – starters, mains, dessert and some nice wine. Truly commit to making it an experience. You two should even cook together. Getting out of your comfort zone with your significant other can more often than not, bring you closer. Try soup or velouté as a starter, a lovely meat in sauce for a main – maybe a homemade sweet and sour chicken with egg fried rice, and then your favourite dessert!
A Bit Of Tradition…
Try and take inspiration from the traditional anniversary themes: paper, cotton, etc.
Whether for the theme of the evening, or for the gifts. It means that you can find some more unique gifts and also potentially make something from all the bits you have at home! “For us, that meant using cotton tablecloth, napkins, etc. We were dressed all in cotton too! And then our gifts to each other were personalised cotton bathrobes with Mr Q and Mrs Q embroidered on the back.” Charlotte tells us.
See our anniversary guide here
Oh The Memories…
Get your wedding album out, or go through photos and videos since you’ve been together.
Browse through them, reminisce and enjoy. It’s so nice taking yourself back to that place emotionally. Seeing what you remember, what you don’t, quickly turning into tears and laughs.
Say No To Corona…
Make sure to not talk about the current situation
Coronavirus is off the table (literally). You probably talk about it enough on a daily basis, so scrap it from the conversation. Enjoy one night away from it and just you and your partner – together and healthy. There’s nothing better right?
Need some date night ideas while you’re in quarantine? Try these gems!